System for hypothermic transport of samples

Abstract

A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for hypothermic transport of an organ, comprising:
 a transport container comprising vertically extending inside surfaces;   an insert configured to be positioned inside the transport container, wherein the insert is shaped to be received in the transport container such that lateral movement of the insert is limited, the insert comprising:
 a horizontal support surface configured to support an organ; 
 a first plurality of protruding surfaces extending from the horizontal support surface and away from a first side of the horizontal support surface in a first direction; and 
 a second plurality of protruding surfaces extending from horizontal support surface and away from a second side of the horizontal support surface in a second direction, wherein the first side is opposite the second side, 
 wherein each protruding surface of the first plurality of protruding surfaces and the second plurality of protruding surfaces comprises a vertically extending surface, 
 wherein the first plurality of protruding surfaces and the second plurality of protruding surfaces are configured to position the horizontal support surface away from the vertically extending inside surfaces of the transport container; 
   a first lid configured to be positioned above the insert;   a second lid configured to couple with the transport container to form an insulated environment within the transport container;   a first cooling material and a second cooling material configured to be positioned within the transport container along the vertically extending inside surfaces, wherein the the first cooling material and the second cooling material are configured to be positioned between the vertically extending inside surfaces and the insert in a vertical orientation parallel to one another when the insert is positioned within the transport container; and   a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature inside the transport container, the temperature sensor configured to communicate wirelessly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a chamber configured to be disposed between the horizontal support surface of the insert and the second lid when the second lid is coupled with the transport container, the chamber configured to contain cooled fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first ridge between protruding surfaces of the first plurality of protruding surfaces and a second ridge between protruding surfaces of the second plurality of protruding surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cooling materials comprise cooling blocks configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2-8° C. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cooling materials comprise cooling blocks configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2-10° C. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature data logger connected with the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bag configured to contain the organ. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water-resistant lining around the transport container. 
     
     
         9 . A system for hypothermic transport of an organ, comprising:
 a transport container comprising vertically extending inside surfaces;   an insert configured to be positioned inside the transport container, wherein the insert is shaped to be received in the transport container such that lateral movement of the insert is limited, the insert comprising:
 a horizontal support surface configured to support an organ; and 
 a plurality of protruding surfaces extending away from the horizontal support surface, 
 wherein each protruding surface of the plurality of protruding surfaces comprises a vertically extending surface, 
 wherein the plurality of protruding surfaces are configured to position the horizontal support surface away from the vertically extending inside surfaces of the transport container; and 
   a lid configured to couple with the transport container to form an insulated environment within the transport container.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature inside the transport container, the temperature sensor configured to communicate wirelessly. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an inner lid configured to be positioned above the insert. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of ridges between the plurality of protruding surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising cooling blocks configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2-8° C. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising cooling blocks configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2-10° C. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a temperature data logger connected with the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a bag configured to contain the organ. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of protruding surfaces comprise a first plurality of protruding surfaces extending horizontally from a wall of a plurality of walls of the insert in a first direction. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of protruding surfaces further comprise a second plurality of protruding surfaces extending horizontally from a wall of the plurality of walls of the insert in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a chamber configured to be disposed between the support surface of the insert and the lid when the lid is coupled with the transport container, the chamber configured to contain cooled fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a water-resistant lining around the transport container. 
     
     
         21 . A system for hypothermic transport of an organ, comprising:
 a transport container comprising vertically extending inside surfaces;   an insert configured to be positioned inside the transport container, wherein the insert is shaped to be received in the transport container such that lateral movement of the insert is limited, the insert comprising:   a horizontal support surface configured to support a donor organ; and   a plurality of protruding surfaces extending away from the horizontal support surface,   wherein each protruding surface of the plurality of protruding surfaces comprises a vertically extending surface,   wherein the plurality of protruding surfaces are configured to position the horizontal support surface away from the vertically extending inside surfaces of the transport container;   a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature inside the transport container, wherein the system is configured to communicate the measured temperature wirelessly;   an organ preservation solution configured to be contained within the transport container to preserve the donor organ when the donor organ is contained within the transport container; and   a lid configured to couple with the transport container to form an insulated environment within the transport container,   wherein the system is configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2° C. and 10° C.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the donor organ is a heart. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the donor organ is a lung. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising cooling material configured to be positioned in the transport container.